In this article I will present to you the method for creating a sigil for use in many magickal applications using the concept of 'magic squares' as they appear in modern magical practice.

To begin, I will introduce you to the seven magical planetary squares of Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, The Moon (Luna), Saturn, The Sun (Sol) and Venus. They are, quite simply, grids bearing numbers relative to that planet and it's corresponding mathematical calculations:

Now, you may be unsure as to what these grids have to do with creating sigils!

Quite simply, the easiest way to create a sigil with the magic squares of the planets is:

1. Select which planet with whose energies or qualities you seek to work.

2. Find a word or short phrase you would like to use which sums up your goal. For example, if you would simply like to attract the qualities of Venus, you may choose your name (full name or not) or that of whoever you may be performing the magick for, etc. If you are seeking to better communicate, for example, you may choose the word 'COMMUNICATE' or 'HELP ME COMMUNICATE'. The possibilities are endless.

3. After you have chosen your working word, then you will need to 'translate' the letters into numerical form. Most commonly used for this task is the following chart:

(For instance, the name KATIE would translate into 2, 1, 2, 9, 5 as K=2, A=1, T=2, I=9 and E=5)

4. Lay a sheet of paper over the grid (if you have one printed out; otherwise you can draw one yourself). On the square which corresponds to the first number of your working word (in this case, 2), draw a small dot over it:

Example 1.

5. Now, draw a straight line from the dot to the next number in the sequence (in this case, 1):

Example 2.

6. Continue drawing straight lines to each corresponding number in the sequence:

Example 3:

Example 4:

Example 5:

7. Finish the sigil by drawing a small horizontal line to 'close' the end:

Example 6:

8. Lift your paper away from the grid and your sigil is now complete. You may wish to transfer the image by burning it into wood, sewing it into cloth, painting it, etc.

This is great, T! I have a book that has something about these floating around on my shelves somewhere. lol

So would you use the square of the planet that corresponds to your intent? Like Mercury for communication and Mars for courage?

Also, what about the squares that have numbers higher than 9? How do you get a letter to correspond to one of those squares or does it not matter because the numbers are all spaced out of order? (did that question even make sense? lol)

Thought I'd add a couple of notes for those who don't ever take anything on face value....

Where did the 'magic squares' come from?

The planetary associations are often attributed to Agrippa, but others believe he merely transcribed it from other sources....

Two possibilities

The Babylonians and the Sumerians, believed that there were 7 planets encircling the earth... the farthest out Saturn (smallest square at 3X3) to the nearest Moon (largest square 9X9) and that was the means of order for the squares.

The Kabbalah, associates the planets with the sephiroth and 3 corresponds to Saturn on down to 9 corresponding to the Moon.

So, that explains the size of the squares…

Why are the numbers filling the grids in that order?

This is mathematics, and the original calculations are also most often attributed to Agrippa, but are sometimes assumed to be Pythagorean

Magic Squares cannot be mathematically formed by the numbers 1 and 2…

So, we start with the 3rd Sephiroth, or the planet Saturn

So, a grid of 3X3…

To determine the numbers in the grid there is an established formula…

We work with a function of the numerical size of the grid. So the function of n (in our case 3) is calculated thus:

f(n) = [n(to the power of 3) + n] / 2

f(3) = [( 3 x 3 x 3) + 3] / 2

f(3) = 30 / 2 = 15

So, the numbers on the grid are arranged so that each row, column, and diagonal will add to 15, for Saturn’s Square.

It is the ‘magic’ of these squares that they all fall into this formula.

Anyway, just thought there would be someone out there that would want to know why these squares are ‘magic’ and how they came about.

Blessed Be,

P.S. Here are a couple of websites that for the most part support my statements.

Yes, cariadwen, Agrippa's time was the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Glad you enjoyed it!

_________________PM me any time!

Amethyst

Post subject:

Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 5:03 am

Magicka's Sweet Witch & Precious Gem

Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2006 3:51 amPosts: 4728Location: Spring Cleaning!

Wow, excellent job putting this together Torey I'm like Rae'ya, I know these are in my books somewhere I just have never buckled down and really gotten to them. This is a great guide, thanks!

Asphodel

Post subject:

Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 4:21 am

Forum Admin, Mod, Life Member & Torey's Little Helper

Joined: Sat Dec 23, 2006 5:57 pmPosts: 5162Location: In the Shadows

Oooh, thank you so much for this Torey!!

I have an herb pouch for sleep that is just kinda plain, I think I am going to sew a sigil on and make it pretty, and hopefully ... if I've done everything properly, it will be awesome for peaceful rest!

This is great! At one time, I went to a website that had magick squares, and making sigils, but I lost it. I've been looking for it for years! And here it is! Thank you so much Torey, and Dark Moon Lily, you never cease to amaze me. You are a genius you know. gtm (that's, giggle to myself.) Helela.

_________________Helela

manukahugo

Post subject: Re: How To Create A Sigil With Magic Squares

Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 12:33 pm

Magicka Life Member

Joined: Wed Oct 06, 2010 2:57 pmPosts: 282

Hey Torey... MM

I've been going through some old posts here and I simply loved this one..Many thanks for sharing this.. great job...

I've never worked with sigils before... I'm quite new to the "practise" part of the craft so all new information is always welcome..

So, pardon me if it is a stupid questioin, what or in which combination you use sigils?

_________________"Life is a mixture of sunshine and rain, teardrops and laughter, pleasure and pain. Just remember, there was never a cloud that the sun couldn't shine through".Manuka

blueroses

Post subject: Re: How To Create A Sigil With Magic Squares

Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 8:26 pm

Magicka Life Member

Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2010 6:29 pmPosts: 345Location: Long Island, NY

i have also never worked with sigils, what are they and how do you work with them. I have heard them refered to but never knew exactly what they were.

BlessingsRose

_________________Just because everyone tells me something does not exist. Even though it has never been seen does not mean it is not there. Some times you have to believe.

I work with sigils when I have a specific purpose in mind - i.e. when I'm doing a ritual in which I need to be especially particular about what it is that I'm trying to achieve such as a ritual or spell to ensure that my package arrives at its destination safely, etc.

I use planetary sigils to align the energy of my working with the energy of a particular planet, giving the spell "character" through the use of the glyph which is drawn upon that particular planet's magickal square.

Sigils can be defined in a number of different ways, but for the purposes of this article they are representations of an intention built upon the numerical "magickal square" of a particular planet. This means that if you were in need of expansive energy, for example, you would do well to create a sigil using the square of Jupiter. They can be used as a meditative tool or can be drawn upon parchment and burned. They can be inscribed upon candles, etc. There are quite a number of uses for them.

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